Northern Michigan University, located in Marquette, Michigan, is a dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university that has grown its reputation based on its award-winning leadership programs, cutting-edge technology initiatives and nationally recognized academic programs. Northern has a population of about 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Ask a few Northern students what drew them to our university and you will get a variety of answers. That's because there is no single thing that make students want to go to Northern; it is ALL the things that we do here. Northern is big enough to offer a wide variety of academic programs but is also small enough that every time you walk across campus, you'll probably wave "hi" to someone you know.

Curiosity is the raw ingredient of knowledge. It causes us to ask questions, to seek answers, to learn. At Northern Michigan University, natural curiosity and intellectual challenge meet in stimulating classes grounded in the liberal arts. So wherever your curiosity leads you, you can count on the support you need to take the next step, ask the next question, propose the next hypothesis.

The mission of the Northern Michigan University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Recreational Sports and the United States Olympic Training Site is to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, interpersonal growth and social development; embraces diversity; teaches lifetime leisure skills; fosters spirit and tradition; and builds a lifelong connection to NMU.

Yes, you'll attend your classes, but what else will you be doing as a student at Northern? There's so much stuff to choose from. There's a student organization or club – almost 300 at last count-- for just about every interest. If you're into investigating the paranormal, anime or improv comedy, there's a group. Cheer on your fellow Wildcats at a hockey game or volleyball match. Join a competitive club sport or an intramural team. The sky is the limit.

Spotlight: Curt Tucker

Motorsports can be dangerous, but since 1984 the accident injury rate has dropped almost 95 % in auto racing. One Northern Michigan alumnus has been working hard to keep racers safe.

Curt Tucker (NMU 1982, 2008) is the president and founder of TEAMTECH Motorsports Safety, Inc., based in Saginaw, Michigan. The company specializes in safety equipment ranging from patented increased visibility window nets, to patented seatbelt harnesses and hardware and the Tucker Head and Neck Restraint (patent pending), similar in function to the HANS device. Tucker has also gone beyond making auto, boat and aircraft safety equipment to writing a race driver evacuation procedure manual and safety product test specifications. He has also authored SAE technical papers and provided specialized services such as expert witness testimony and product failure investigation, solving numerous cases. The company has also made specially designed emergency rescue air, radio and harness disconnect device for rapid egress for boat racers, and is working with NASA to provide seat and seat harnesses for the new version of the Apollo space capsule slated for manned travel to the Moon and then to Mars in the near future.

Tucker believes his success started at NMU’s Industrial Technology program where he learned technical report writing as well as gaining important basic fundamentals of mechanical and industrial engineering knowledge.

(Going to Northern) was a huge benefit right out of the box, because it taught me the foundations for everything I needed to know, and as the need to concentrate my efforts increased I had different professionals, scientists and engineers willing to mentor me along the way,” Tucker said.

Even though the specialists he learned from ranged from drivers to safety engineers and scientists, Tucker also called on NMU’s Professor Tom Meravi, one of the then (82’) “fearsome foursome” (Meravi, Hicks, Rigby and Cauley) of the Industrial Technology (now Engineering Technology) department.

“It seemed like once a month since 1982 I was in contact with Professor Meravi with different issues and he was an excellent mentor for me. Meravi always found the answers to difficult manufacturing problems even when the engineers and scientists could not!” Tucker said.

Tucker now helps Northern Michigan University as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, NMU Engineering Technology Department’s Advisory Board and mentors members of the NMU Baja racing team.

“I’ve had an exciting journey and especially since I’m giving back to the place that has given me the most, being connected with NMU is a great reward,” Tucker said. “I’m still working and looking forward to the journeys ahead.

The Engineering Technology Department graduates many successful students each year who go on to have fulfilling careers in various industry positions. If you know of a good spotlight story idea, please e-mailengtech@nmu.edu.